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“Everything okay?” A man wearing an ill-fitting suit with a handlebar mustache approaches us and I’m assuming he was invited and she’s his plus one. “Mr. Holt?” He looks at Chris confused and I look up at him with equal confusion causing Holly to look at us both with a snide smile.
“You remember my lawyer?” she says, resting a hand on the shoulder of the man she’s standing with, and I feel like I’m in the midst of a car accident happening in slow motion.
If he’s Holly’s divorce lawyer, that means he’s probably about to learn who I am. Very soon. Fuck.I do my best to control my breathing because I feel like I might have a panic attack.
“Can’t say I was expecting to see you here.” He laughs awkwardly before looking at me. “And Autumn’s sister, correct?”
“Yes, also the woman that was screwing my husband,” Holly says casually and my eyes flutter shut as I try to count to five while taking deep breaths.
“Holly, don’t do this,” Chris says and I can tell he’s trying his best not to lose it. I can also tell his patience is wearing thin. The man with Holly turns his eyes to me and though his eyes aren’t full of judgment, I can sense his disappointment.
“I didn’t do anything,” Holly says.
“Can I talk to you outside?” he asks and though I don’t love the idea of my boyfriend getting into it with his ex-wife at my sister’s shower, I don’t want her around my family a minute longer. She seems like she’s ready to blow up and I don’t want them caught in the wreckage.
“Nope.”
“Okay, well remember the divorce agreement you signed,” he warns through gritted teeth.
“I said I wouldn’t talk to any kind of press or go to your board of trustees over you sleeping with your subordinate.”
“It said anything publicly,” he corrects.
“Well, as far as I’m concerned, it’s only the four of us standing here, all of whom know that you were sleeping with her while we were still married. Now if anyone were to overhear…” She trails off and I see a ghost of a smile when her eyes find something just over my shoulder. I pray it isn’t anyone related to me, but when I turn around, I meet eyes that match mine. They’re full of anger but not directed at me.
“Can I ask who you are?” my mother says as she takes a step next to me and then another so she’s more in front of me and I already know this isn’t going to end well for Holly. I’m in for an earful later, I’m sure, but Holly is about to be read for filth.
“Mom…”
She puts a hand up which is a sign I know very well that advises me not to talk anymore.
“Holly Holt. His ex-wife,” she says, nodding at Chris.
She turns her gaze to the man next to her. “And you are?”
“Joseph Stanfeld. I work with Eric.”
“Okay,” she snaps, “I think I’m caught up. I’m going to assume you were none the wiser about this situation?” she asks as she spins her finger in a circle, indicating what just happened. “And I would remember who I’m married to before you think about lying to me.”
I can see the trepidation all over his face at the idea of getting on the wrong side of Judge Collins’ wife. “I was not aware.”
She nods. “Well, I think it’s time that your date goes home.”
“Excuse me?” Holly sneers and in any other scenario, I’d warn Holly that she did not want to go down this road with my mother. “I didn’t do anything.”
“You’re disrupting my daughter’s shower. That is plenty. Now, I would kindly ask this lovely gentleman to escort you home. You are welcome to come back, Joseph, but please I would advise you to keep better company,” she says.
“I’m the bad company? Your daughter was sleeping with my husband and I’m the problem?”
“Holly, enough,” Chris snaps and I feel the tears burning in my eyes over this nightmare unfolding.
“Sweetheart, what’s going on?” I hear my father’s voice, and oh my god, this could not get any worse.
“Nothing,” my mother says. “Can you get me another glass of champagne though?”
“Of course.” His eyes find mine and he frowns when he sees my tears. I turn my head towards Chris and then I feel his hands on my face despite still being in Holly’s presence. I eventually see them move out of my periphery and I breathe a sigh of relief that she’s gone.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispers so quietly I don’t think anyone hears him. “Please don’t hate me,” he says before he pulls me into his arms and against his chest. “Let’s go take a walk.”
